Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-09-25
CHAPTER ".
THE KINGS CLEMENCY.

set of rusty letters and handcuffs--closed
upon all that called dear, and l was left
outside.
The young man, John Beer, the same
whose appetite for brandy had done MS so
much mischief, found me lodging with
respectable people, and l waited III trouble
OF soul for the morning
At 8, after waiting outside for two long
hours, / obtained admission to the prison.
I went in trembling and expected to see
the prisoners ianGling their chains in des-
pair. looked for signs and prayers, for
the tears of repentance and the groans OF
remorse. | found nothing of the kind.
The courtyard was half full Of men who
were all laughing, talking, drinking and
singing
NV own party were not IN the courtyard.
Dan CULVER and his sons were not COM
mon criminals. They had obtained on
payment of certain fees, the use OF the
ward all to themselves, where | found
them. 1t WAS large and cheerful room,
but disfgured by the odiOus bars over the
windows. Dan was pacing backward and
forward; Job and Jepthah were sitting
side by side in one corner, their hands
folded in silence and resignation; Will
was at the table writing.
1--WE must be very clear and precise
about the Statement, Dan," he was say
ing. There must he no possible misun-
Outstanding. They must be made to see
that this is no cock and bull story, got up
by us to help us out of our scrape.
Dan nodded refiectiyely.
NOW this is what have written
Pleasance, you have come to see us in our
temporary home. Limited the accommO-
dating, but we must make the best OF 1t.
Sit down, child, while we finish our busl-
ness. Now Dan.
This is the statement Of me, Daniel
CULVER, of Rousdon farm, parish Of
Rousdon, near the town of Lyme Regis.
On Wednesday evening, October q,
in TIE year 1903, l was on board my boat,
the Dancing Polly, OFF the coast of France,
homeward bound. l was running cargo
of brandy, in the landing OF which was
caught and arrested by the revenue officers
and am now; with my two sons and
young man who was staying in my house,
committed to trial for tnat otfense.
1--WE took in our cargo at Bartleur, on
Wednesday morning. We started, the
wind being then light, but atterward
freshening, and southeast by sOnth-a IA
vorable wind for us, but bad for the ships
we met later on in the channel
"'Ten miles, or thereabOuts, due north
from Point Barfeur, they were-three
1ncy acre DsaIhig up channel, apparently
west by north, though the wind was dead
against them, and they was flying French
cOlors.
CON the Dancing Polly we was about
halt mile to starbOard of the enemy's
fleet. One of the ships hailed ms to haul
down and lay to; but we held on, seeing
the breeze was iresheniug and all in our
favor.
al 3O'ClOck or so we made ROuSden
hay, intending TO send on news of the enc
my's fleet as soon ~ we could. Unfortu-
nately we were caught by the officers and
arrested. So have lost no time in put
ting on paper the observations we made as
to the whereabouts of the enemy.
81 am in the hope that the intelligence
may prove of use to his majesty's govern
ment, and that the diligenceI have used
in forwarding it Immediately may be taken
into account against the fact of my having
broken the law in my venture to the
French coast. "
II don't think, Dan," said Will, after
carefully reading reading the whole, that
we can do much more good to the dOcu-
ment. There is the information, fresh and
valuable and trustworthy. Nelson would
like it if the officials do not; but they
would not dare to shelve it. And now,
Dan, you must sign"
Dan Gulliyer, after making the careful
preparations for writing common to people
of that time unaccustOmed to sign their
names, perpetrated form which ne meant
to stand for Daniel GUliver, while Job
and Jephthah looked on in silent admira-
ton. Anything their father did was great
and beautiful. For that parental respect
honor their memory
That done, Now, PleaSancc, said Will,
who had taken the entire command of the
business, please go into the town, ascer-
tain who il the best lawyer in the town
the gentIefOlk's lawyer. Go, call at his
office, and bring him here without mo-
ment's delay"
Tell him not to fear about money, for
there is plenty under the hearthstOne, I"
said Dan.
1t was not difficult to find the best law
yer in Dorchester. Everybody sent me
10 Mr.. COpas. l found him an elderly
gentleman who wore large wig and looked
like dignitary of the church.
This sort of case does not lie in the or
binary course of my practice" he said; II
recommend yOu to go to Mr.. Ferret, whose
clients chiefly consist Of
81 think, sir" l said, that when you
know who one of the smugglers is you
will not refuse to act for us. Pray, pray
come and ste him. And, oh! if it is the
money you are thinking Of Dan says there
is plenty Of money under the hearth
stone"
Mr.. Copas smiled.
at had better he in the bank, child.
Well, will go with you. But 1 do not
promise anything"
We found Will alone in the ward, still
busy with paper and pen. He was graver
than usual, as was only natural, but when
his eyes met mine he smiled in his quiet
and sympathetic way.
'Now, my good fellow" said Mr.. Copas
in a patronizing aud friendly tone, tell
me what you have to say, but do not
waste time, and tell the truth"
"What | have to say is. Mr. Copas,"
said Will that am a gentleman who
has got into a scrape with three most
worthy smugglers."
"A gentleman? Well, you do not look
like a sailor. But go on"
'My name is Campion. | am the only
son of the late Sir Godfrey CampiOn, and
the chief partner in the firm OF
Good heavens! And you smuggIer?"
"Well, not exactly. But went for q
venture with Dan Gulliver, and we were
all caught. That is the story"
But you-you, my dear sir-the infiu-
ence of your family must be brought to
bear. Your case must be separated"
Here VIII interposed.
II cannot separate my case from the
poor fellows with me-" he said. ~ cannot
have any family interest employed, because
above all, my mother must not know of
Lhis-this disgrace. Ishall stand the trial
with the others. Fortunately. he took |